Far more thought must go into international law

London

FLUTTER over the surprise visit to China by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte may soon fade. But his abrupt and public dismissal of the United States in favour of China has weakened the argument that international rule of law could underpin a changing world order.

The issue in question was the long-running dispute between China and the Philippines over sovereignty of Scarborough Shoal, situated 800km south-east of China and 160km west of the Philippine mainland, well inside the United Nations-defined Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.

Despite a court ruling and Mr Duterte…